Fuel Pump?? on 1993 Ford Escort

Greetings,
I have a 93 Escort LX 1.9L. w/166,000 miles. Two Questions:
1. As of recent, the car has become more difficult to start. It used to fire RIGHT up, now it takes a significantly longer time cranking the engine over for it to fire up. In the past couple months I have replaced the fuel filter, air filter, and the plugs and wires. I am thinking that it is most likely the fuel pump that is starting to go, but I am wondering if anyone knows of any way to definitively verify that is the problem??
2. When I start this car in cold weather (20 degrees farenheit or colder), it SQUEELS at a very high pitch until it has warmed up for about 5-10 minutes and then dissipates...I am thinking this is the alternator going, but I would be most grateful to hear from some of you folks.
Thanks.